Feeding on demand/routine??!
Hi mummies
I am g/c from pregnancy - hope none of you mind! I was just wondering if you are feeding as and when your LO's need it or are you in a more established routine? Not sure if that makes sense, sorry! I have always presumed I will feed as and when my baby needs it, but I was just speaking to someone who was really against feeding on demand like this...just wondered what you ladies thought about it??
Thank you!!
Ruth xx
33+2
I am g/c from pregnancy - hope none of you mind! I was just wondering if you are feeding as and when your LO's need it or are you in a more established routine? Not sure if that makes sense, sorry! I have always presumed I will feed as and when my baby needs it, but I was just speaking to someone who was really against feeding on demand like this...just wondered what you ladies thought about it??
Thank you!!
Ruth xx
33+2
0
Replies
xx
My boy is just a few weeks younger than Coco's and he is the same. He has always been fed on demand (or request as I have heard it called which makes it sound all polite!). It is only in the last few weeks that he has really settled himself into a pattern of feeding every 3-4 hours on average, probably longer if we are out and about busy.
I couldn't let him go hungry just to feed when I wanted him to. It is also better for your milk supply to offer the breast lots, especially at the start to get things going.
Good luck
[Modified by: M + K on February 20, 2010 07:39 PM]
Can't believe you are 33 weeks already!!
Anyway, I completely agree with the other ladies...you can't really not feed on demand. Baby will take what it needs and how much it needs...which can change each day.
I think it's much better to just go with the flow because if you try to get into a routine and expect that from a baby then you're just setting yourself up to fail!
No two days are the same but I definitely think it's best for baby to let them lead the way )
You must be super excited now - are you all ready?
Love NN and Olyvia xxx
Oh my goodness, Olyvia is beautiful - I love your pic!! And I can't believe she's over a month old already!!!
We are really really excited, this has been a LONG 7 and a half months and I can't believe I still have perhaps another 9 weeks to go!!! I am hoping my LO will head out dot on 37 weeks!! Unlikely I know, although we do have a history of earlyish births (nothing drastic, all 36 weeks+), and bean is doing everything he/she can to help - 3/5ths engaged at last MW appt - so fingers crossed!
So how are you finding it? Is Olyvia one of the 'angel babies' I have read about?? I am sure my LO will be...
xxx
[Modified by: Ruth77 on February 20, 2010 08:00 PM]
Im a big believer in establishing a routine. I ve done it with the last 2 kids and am putting the new one into the same routine.
Yes is is vital that the first week or 2 baby gets fed as and when, but now my lo is 3 weeks and im working hard to establish a routine. Personally i cant feed a baby every hour, and i dont think its good for them anyway. I know that if he is starving i would feed him, but i would maybe go and change him to string him out a bit longer. If he has been fed too often, he wont take a big enough feed to last him a while so its a catch 22.
I find by establishing a routine, i feel in control and i know in advance what his needs will be, ie he will be tired now etc
Everyone is different and it is all trial and error, but that is what works/has worked for me
Gemm x
L and Emily x
Chat soon
Gemm x
Ladybird, sounds like you are doing really getting Emily out of her nocturnal habits so early on!
xx
Like gemm said if the feeds are too close together then they are not taking a full feed and only snacking. Also generally if you can get them onto a good feeding routine then the better they will sleep as well.
You really need to go by your baby's needs and personality as to how you feed and do everything with them. Some babies thrive on demand feeding and others like Amy do best with a strict routine. Honestly my advice if you are going to survive breast feeding get yourself a good breast pump. ;\)
xxx
33+4
IMO its like this: I have half a sandwich at 10am, I then fancy something at 12pm but someone tells me I am not allowed to eat (but they dont know how much I have eaten, they can only guess). I am thinking but I only had half a sandwich at 10am, dont they realise this, then at 1pm I finally get to eat. As time goes by my belly gets used to waiting, so i fall into this routine.
My baby fed basically all day for the 1st 3 weeks. I didnt move from the sofa. I know she was suckling and sleeping and eating...but being a first time mum, it was hard to tell what she was doing and when at first.
We have fell into a routine now of feeding evey 2 - 3 hrs. My lo weight gain is perfect - so I am v. happy.
Both my sisters are mums of 3 and they both bfeed on demand - it is very possible. One sister used the rugby ball position to feed - so that she cld cuddle her toddlers/read them books etc. My other sister invested in a sling you cld bfeed in.
every hv and midwife i saw (and La Leche group) told me bfeeding on demand was the only way to make sure baby was having enough i.e. let babies belly decide when they are hungry.
good luck